Is it a Heart Condition or a Condition of the Heart?

Sitting quietly, I noticed I could hear my heart beating. Thump, thump, thump – perfect rhythm, but loud and clear. I told my eye doctor and my family practitioner about it and both advised me to see a cardiologist – just to be sure there wasn’t something out of order. Now, mind you – I’m not prone to doctor visits, but I heeded their advice. Thankfully the two tests – a carotid doppler and an echo showed no concerns except a little plaque build-up. She advised me to eat less red meat, avoid saturated fats and get plenty of exercise. I’m taking her advice! And, as for hearing my heart beat ❤️❤️❤️ I’m taking it as a way to have better rhythm with this built-in metronome inside me. 😉

More serious to me than a physical heart condition, is the condition of my spirit aka my heart. You know, the heart that is pure and merry (like a good medicine) or we let down our guard and negative thoughts and attitudes show up that can cause a build-up of wrong thinking in our heart. No matter if everything is A-okay on my pumping heart, if the heart of my inner man is harboring grudges, fears, anxieties and concerns – then I have a condition of my heart that REALLY needs to be tended to.

It starts with a regular check-up. The cardiologist advised that I should come back in two years for a heart check-up to be sure all is well. As Christians, we need regular "heart" check-ups too. We can go through all the motions of being a devoted follower of Christ, but if our attitude-indicator (our heart) reveals "heart issues", then we’d best be doing something about it.

King Solomon in Proverbs 4:23 said it best: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it determines the course of your life.” Notice that it says, we need to guard our heart. Sounds like a full-time job because the wily enemy sneaks in when we least expect it with his evil tactics. But, never fear -- because the GREATER ONE partners with us with a shield of peace. And, peace is sure what we need to set us on the right course for our lives.

Philippians 4:7 says "And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That is why we need regular check-ups. It may look like a friend, spouse, or children are giving us a hard time and the angst is building up on the inside of our heart – but in reality, it’s the tactics of the enemy who steals the peace in our hearts. But, when we apply the PEACE shield, our hearts are protected. Aw! Sweet peace that is like a the medical procedure that opens up blockages for better blood flow to the heart.

God always provide us with ways of succeeding in this life. His peace is a guard for us. "No peace. No God. Know God. Know peace." No question -- it can be a work out because we don't know when and what will come up to steal our peace. That's why partnering with the Holy Spirit will keep our heart right as we pray prayers like this: “Create in me a clean heart, oh Lord, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10.

Oh the rewards for having a pure heart! Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” What is the condition of your heart? Maybe it's time for a Holy Spirit check-up! God knows our hearts, and most importantly, He has our hearts that are surrendered, pliable, and tender toward Him -- He Who gave His heart for us.

Predictable or Unpredictable

Ever since my grandson, Payton (now 18), was just a little guy he’s loved playing the piano. It started with my husband who could play anything but loved Christian music and jazz. "Little" Payton jumped on the piano bench to plunk out notes while Papa played. The first song Papa taught him was “Chopsticks”. He learned those one-finger-at-a-time-notes that were easy-peasy and Papa would play the full chords that were in-sync with Payton’s one-finger notes. "Chopsticks" was called “Chopsticks” for a reason. It was choppy and predictable.

I’ll admit it’s comfortable for life to be predictable. Every time Papa would sit down at the piano, it wasn’t long before Payton wanted to play more and learn more. It was such a beautiful tribute to my husband’s life as his mentor, teacher, and beloved “Papa” when Payton played “Fur Elise"at Papa’s funeral. All were in awe at that 10-year-old boy who was fearless and well-trained, to play for such a large crowd with absolute perfection.

Today, Payton not only loves to play the piano, he's a piano teacher. Yesterday I went to their home for lunch and as so often heard in their home, was music-to-my-ears as I walked to their front door. Payton was playing some jazz music – one of Papa’s favorites. I knew he was serenading me. Yesterday would have been our 52nd wedding anniversary. Jazz music is unlike the predictable notes of a memorized song like “Chopsticks” or "Fur Elise". Jazz music is unpredictable. A jazz pianist will just “flow”. Their emotions are translated into beautiful innovative riffs, cool tones, and complex rhythms.

Jazz is an effective way to describe discipleship. We like to know what's expected of us and we like to know the how-to's, the when-to's and where-to's -- like the notes and simplicity of a song like “Chopsticks”, but a jazz musician will just sit down at their instrument and play from their heart and soul. Life is so unpredictable and we want someone to teach us everything we need to know, but we simply can’t know everything. Our faith journey is about preparing for the unpredictable and then going with the flow of that beautiful music that is playing on the inside that comes from a heart full of faith and trust in God's flow.

I heard that listening to jazz music has benefits for our health. The rhythms can bring natural relief for mind and body. Studies show that just 45 minutes of soft, slow music like jazz before bedtime results in better and longer night-time sleep as well as less dysfunction during the day. It also reduces the intensity of migraine headaches and reduces chronic pain. No wonder that King Saul's tormented soul was soothed when David played his harp for him. "Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." 1 Samuel 16:23.

In the atrium of the Cancer Treatment Center in Tulsa was a beautiful grand piano. Even though in tremendous pain, before my sweetheart would go in for treatment, he would somehow muster up the strength, while sitting in his wheelchair, and draw a crowd as he played the piano which relaxed him for the treatment up ahead.

Honestly, this post is far more important than styles-of-music. Of course, we live our lives with necessary routines. But it is also about living our lives with an absolute abandonment of worry and stress and tension to free-flowing in God’s grace and mercy, knowing that whatever music we’re playing or life circumstances we’re living with, being completely aware that our great Teacher and Lord is sitting at the piano bench with us 24/7. Whatever song we’re playing, He’ll be in-sync with us – making our lives a symphony of harmony and beauty when we go with His flow!

Forward.....MARCH!

In honor of this month of MARCH, and in honor of our service men and women who, on our behalf, are MARCHING to the beat of the love of their country, my word for today is MARCH.

It’s MARCH 4th -- the only day of the year that can also be a sentence -- MARCH Forth! Time is marching forth and so are we! An Army platoon marches FORWARD, not backward. Whether soldiers are at their home base moving from one post to another, or on the battlefield, they are on assignment until their mission has been accomplished. St. Paul wrote "One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining FORWARD to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

My daily goal is to MARCH forward. No backward marching for me because I want to make daily progress. Some folks have lost their hope and expectancy for good things to come their way so they HALT, and are at a stand-still. I get that because for over 44 years, my assignment included a partnership with my dear husband and his earth assignments ended when Heaven called his name. My life could be HALTED, too, but Heaven hasn’t called my name. I’m still here! I'd lose momentum in accomplishing my assignments if I stayed in backward thinking.

My precious 95-year-old mother-in-law often asks “Why doesn’t God take me home? I’m ready to go!” And we always tell her “He’s not finished with you here, yet! Keep sharing your love with others, pray, and be here for us! That’s your assignment until you get called home!” You and I are still here and we, too, must complete our God-given assignments. Keep marching!

Everyday we have the opportunity to MARCH to the beat of our Divine Drummer who has perfect rhythm so we can make daily progress on our journey of faith. No more rear-view-mirror glimpses of regret, unforgiveness or shame from the past. No MARCHING backward. We have assignments to complete. This year, with its surprises and joys, AND with some bumpy roads along the way, let's keep MARCH FORWARD to conquer whatever comes our way, hand in hand with our Commanding Officer, Joy-Bringer, Deliverer, Comforter, Guide, Peace-Giver.

What are the assignments that God has given you? What are you going to accomplish with YOU? Life is worth LIVING. We’re still here and we’re “on assignment” – let’s get our MARCH-ing orders today – our MISSION is possible!

The Rhythms of Life and How They Ebb and Flow

Life is interesting, isn’t it? We go through different stages of life in what seems like a blink of an eye. After my sweetheart left for his heavenly assignment, the sweet rhythm of God’s grace and love had steady flow that kept me wrapped up in such peace and security. I had my family, church, church family, a home in a lovely community and the friends that went along with it. Sure there were ups and downs, but they came in and went out – like the tide’s ebb and flow. Beautiful rhythms.

Then the big change came for me when I moved from those comfortable rhythms in that season of life, to Texas where, honestly, I’m still endeavoring to establish some consistent rhythms again. I get it -- I've wandered for a while from city to city and church to church – store to store – street to street – looking for familiarity and a consistent rhythm.

Night before last, I went to bed feeling completely out of sync. But, during the night, I had one of those “King David” moments (1 Samuel 30:6) when he encouraged himself. I encouraged myself. I determined to give the worries to God and recognize that I can’t, but HE CAN! He tells us so in this scripture: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest (sweet rhythm) for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29.

I bounced out of bed yesterday morning with an empowered mindset. I took matters into my "rhythmic" hands that are empowered by God's strong and mighty hands and made some positive decisions. The best part, I realized I have the opportunity to use my faith to make those “walls of discomfort” tumble down by praising and thanking God for so many blessings. Philippians 4:6 “Don’t worry about anything, but in EVERYTHING, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Did He say EVERYTHING? Yes, and what’s so exciting is that we are told to come in confidence, knowing, with relief, that He loves us enough to want us there, right at His feet resting in His love and grace.

Most importantly, I got out of myself and into sharing God’s love and encouragement with a young tow truck driver (that's a story for another day) and an air conditioner technician (another story for another day) -- and was even able to pray with one to find his way back to God. It’s amazing how people open up when they sense "a rhythm" of God’s love coming at them.

Thank you, Lord, for the slow and smooth rhythms that are so sweet, but I thank You for even the staccato, disconnected rhythms – because more than anything I desire to be in sync with Your ebbs and flows – in tempo that connects me to your ways which are so much higher than my ways!

Going With the Flow When It's Slow

Yesterday, Alexia and I left Austin early to beat the morning traffic. As we took to the highway, I said "At least it isn't raining.....". Famous last words, because no sooner than I said those words, it started to mist but we were still on time to make it to Waco by 8:20 am and home by 10-ish. But as we were approaching Temple, TX.....torrential rain came with snail-paced, to dead-stopped traffic. Road construction plus flooding was the culprit. There was absolutely no complaining from Alexia who was cuddled in the seat, sound asleep. Oh, how I remember, as a kid, sleeping while my dad drove through rain and storms and feeling so safe and protected and enjoying the rhythm of the windshield wipers and the rain hitting the windows.

I never became anxious about the delay, because I've learned that it's times like this that we have an option: to get all tangled up in complaining and fuming or just "go with the flow when it's slow" or when our best laid plans are interrupted or delayed or are even cancelled. There's something to be said about the rhythms of our lives. There will be slow times, upbeat times, times that are merry and other times when we experience sadness or weariness, and a mellow song best describes how we feel.

King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3 "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace." Timing really is everything, but most importantly, God wants us to get into His timing and rhythms -- those strong, regular, repeated patterns of patience, calmness, tolerance, self-restraint, composure, perseverance, persistence, endurance, tenacity, determination, gratitude, resolve and peacefulness. In all seriousness, there are just way too many people who are OUT OF GOD'S RHYTHM and out of control. They are demanding, impatient, antagonistic, edgy, ungrateful and intolerant. They think it's okay to be nasty and hateful. That's certainly not His rhythm. I want to live on His side of the sweet music that He makes -- because when we are in tune with Him, we'll recognize all those folks, situations and circumstances that want to take us out of rhythm with Him and we'll resist that music with everything that's in us.

So, let's go with the flow when it's slow; let's go with the beat when it's sweet; let's sing a victory song when the day is long. Since God, Himself, is the source of music, He wants us to get into His rhythm that dances, sings, lives and breathes His character and His ways. .

What's Your Rhythm?

Rhythm -- a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement or sound.
This morning I woke up, looked at the clock and first words out of my mouth were, "Thank you, Lord, for getting my sleep rhythm back to normal." For me, that is a regular, repeated pattern of at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep. Since moving from my home, I've slept in lots of different places, in different beds and getting only 4 or 5 hours of sleep a night. But, now that I've been at my friend's home for several weeks now, and getting used to the bed here, I'm back to my normal 7 hours sleep a night. My sleep rhythm is back! Thanks be to God!

My mother-in-law has had a pacemaker for keeping her heart rhythm regular and constant for many years. She knows it when it's out of rhythm. She feels weak and dizzy.

Most importantly, God wants us to get into His rhythms -- those strong, regular, repeated patterns of love, kindness, forgiveness, tenderness, gentleness, giving, honoring, respecting. In all seriousness, there are just way too many people who are OUT OF GOD'S RHYTHM. They think it's okay to be nasty and hateful. That's certainly not His rhythm. I want to live on His side of the sweet music that He makes -- because when we are in tune with Him, we'll recognize all those folks, situations and circumstances that want to take us out of rhythm with Him and we'll resist that music with everything that's in us.

Since God, Himself, is the source of music, He wants us to get in His rhythm that dances, sings, lives and breathes His character and in His ways. His music sounds like this: "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus!" (Philippians 4:19) "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me!" (Phiippians 4:13) "Greater is He Who lives in me than He who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Mark 12:31) "I have the peace of God that passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7) Those are rhythms that make for really spectacular music.

So you ask me why my heart keeps singing,
Why I can sing when things go wrong.
Since I've found the Source of music
I just can't help it. God gave the song.....Yes, I'm dancing, singing, living in God's rhythm!